Antioxidants and Free RadicalsAntioxidants are well known for the protection they provide our bodies from damaging free radicals. Free radicals are unstable atoms or molecules that oxidize other molecules, and are produced by our bodies as part of normal metabolism. These oxidized products are even more unstable and react with other molecules in domino-like chain reactions, leading to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is the total burden placed on organisms by the constant production of free radicals. This stress may result from environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and even the aging process. By the time a free radical chain dies out, it may negatively impact vital components of our cells.

Pro-oxidants are free radicals that are byproducts from the body’s use of oxygen in the energy cycle. These pro-oxidants cause the same type of oxidative damage in the body that we observe watching a peeled apple decay and turn brown. Our organs experience the same type of decay and erosion over time from unchecked free radicals1.

Free radicals are also generated in the cells of the body by the metabolic process of converting food to energy. As a result, the cells have a built-in antioxidant “defense system” that guards against reactive oxygen species (ROS) and toxic free radicals.2 This antioxidant defense system is comprised of many interrelated substances that maintain a proper balance of reduced/ oxidized antioxidants. Evidence implies that maintenance of the body’s natural defense system could reduce development of disease.1

The Balance of PowerIt is important to note that antioxidants can actually become pro-oxidants when they scavenge free radicals. Although pro-oxidants produce inflammatory responses that protect the body, the potential imbalance caused by too few antioxidants and too many pro-oxidants leads to oxidative stress, which may cause damage to cells and body fluids. In a healthy system, antioxidants are able to regenerate themselves, maintaining the body’s natural antioxidant defense system2. Therefore, since antioxidants can become pro-oxidants, they are best taken together so that they can regenerate each other1, and help maintain a healthy system balance.

Well known components of the antioxidant system include vitamins C and E, alpha-lipoic acid, as well

as enzymes such as catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD). However, the key components to the body’s defense system are glutathione, along with ample supplies of selenium-amino acids and the amino acid cysteine, because of their ability to recycle each other and the aforementioned antioxidants. Glutathione is the most studied and important protective molecule in the human body, while cysteine imparts critical functionality to glutathione.

For example, the conjugate base of alpha-lipoic acid (lipoate) is reduced to dihydrolipoate (DHLA), which is able to attack reactive oxygen species such as superoxide and peroxyl radicals, among others. It also protects membranes by interacting with vitamin C and glutathione, which may in turn recycle vitamin E.3

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Antioxidant defense system targeted to help maintain a healthy antioxidant/pro-oxidant balance

Unlike most antioxidant products on the market today, the vegetarian* formula of ThioZyme™AO combines pivotal cellular antioxidants with their vital partners, antioxidant

enzymes, to combat toxic free radicals and help alleviate damaging oxidative stress.

*In accordance with guidelines by the American Vegetarian Association.

Antioxidants Can BecomePro-Oxidants

Reduction with Thione Complex™

Vitamins C & E(Antioxidants)

Vitamins Scavenge Free Radicals to

Non-Toxic Molecules

Oxidized Vitamins C & E (Pro-Oxidants)

The Balance Between Pro-Oxidants and Antioxidants

Pro-Oxidants(Reactive Oxygen

Species-Free Radicals)

Antioxidants

Antioxidants

Protection/Tissue Repair

OXIDATIVE STRESSCell & Tissue Damage

Oxidants

Cell/Tissue Damage

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

Alpha-lipoic acid is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and functions in fat or water. In fact, it interacts with its antioxidant partners — vitamins E and C — and also helps to conserve them. When the body is deficient of glutathione and lipoic acid, the other antioxidants do not properly network together.4

Several types of antioxidants play various roles in the defense network in vivo3. A balance of pro-oxidant/antioxidant levels within this network is critical to proper function of the body’s defense system. Mammalian cells have developed numerous mechanisms to prevent or treat injurious events that can result from normal oxidative by-products of cellular metabolism. The “Glutathione (GSH) antioxidant system” – a critical component of ThioZymeAO – is foremost among these natural protective systems because GSH contributes directly to the destruction of reactive oxygen compounds and maintains, in reduced active form, vitamins C and E, which also exert an antioxidant effect4 .

From concept to commercialization, we add value at every step.®

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GMP for Sport™www.nsf.org

References:1. Hersh, T. and Barkin, W. The Balance of Power. 2. Hersh, T., To “C” or not to “C.” The Dual Role of Vitamin C as an Antioxidant and Pro-oxidant. 3. Niki, E. Assessment of Antioxidant Capacity in vitro and in vivo. Free Radical Biology & Medicine. 2010. Vol

49, 503–515. Elsevier, Inc. 4. Bounous, G, Molson, J. Competition for Glutathione Precursors Between the Immune System and the

Skeletal Muscle: Pathogenesis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Med Hypothesis 53; (4): 347-349. 5. Poveromo, J. Giving Selenium Careful Consideration. Nutrition Industry Executive, June 2010, pp. 44-45.

800.697.8179www.DeerlandEnzymes.com

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are currently taking medications, or have other health-related conditions, consult a physician before adding supplements to your diet.

Glutathione/Selenium Regeneration of Vitamin C

Reduced Glutathione(2GSH)

Oxidized Vitamin C(Ascorbate)

Vitamin C(Ascorbic Acid)

Oxidized Glutathione(GSSG)

L-CysteineSelenomethionine

Thioredoxin Reductase

The Cell’s Antioxidant Defenses Glutathione/Selenium Regenerate Vitamin C

Lipid Membrane Water Compartment

Free Radical

Neutralized Radical

Vitamin E Vitamin CRadical

Vitamin CVitamin ERadical

Glutathione/Selenium

Component BenefitsThe patented Thione Complex™ (# 5,922,346), in combination with other components of ThioZymeAO, work synergistically to keep the body’s defensive network functioning properly, both by direct antioxidant action and by regeneration of antioxidants, including glutathione itself.

Each 400mg dose is formulated to contain:

• Thione Complex™ - Glutathione and Selenomethionine are the prime antioxidants that help maintain cellular integrity and function.

• Alpha-Lipoic Acid – A potent antioxidant in its own right, ALA works in fat or water tissue compartments. It serves to recycle other antioxidants, including Glutathione.

• Superoxide Dismustase – A class of enzymes that disproportions or changes superoxide in hydrogen peroxide, which is further reduced by catalase or one of the other antioxidants in the defense system.

• Catalase – Enzymatically converts hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen.

• N-acetyl-L-Cysteine – An easily absorbed derivative of the amino acid cysteine which has multiple functions including reversible redox changes and precursor for Glutathione.

• Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C) – Potent, water soluble antioxidant.

• Vitamin E – Important fat soluble antioxidant that neutralizes reactive molecules in lipid tissues such as cell membranes.

• Solarplast™ - Light to energy converting organelles encased in endogenous lipid bilayers, with high concentrations of antioxidant components including Glutathione reductase, NADPH and FAD.

• Adenosine Triphosphate – ATP is an energy molecule that recycles NADP to NADPH.

Figure 3. Figure 4.

The Cell’s Antioxidant Defenses Glutathione Destruction of H2O2

Hydrogen PeroxideH2O2

WaterH2O

Oxidized Glutathione

(GSSG)Selenomethionine

Glutathione Reductase

GlutathionePeroxidase

Reduced Glutathione

(2GSH)

Figure 5.

Figure 4. The cooperative effect of antioxidants is both intra- and extra-cellular.

Figure 5. In performing its antioxidant function, two GSH are oxidized to GSSG (pro-oxidant). In order for GSH regeneration via glutathione reductase to occur, Selenium (i.e. Selenomethionine) is necessary5.